by Alex Lloyd Gross
Ivory S. Cousins, 35, of West Deptford, New Jersey, has been arrested and charged with federal indictment with allegations that she failed to render aid to help an inmate that had been assaulted. In fact, authorities said she covered up the attack and then pepper sprayed the inmate, causing more pain and suffering.
in August 2019. While on duty at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, the indictment alleges that the defendant became aware that an inmate had been assaulted by other inmates and had serious injuries, but she was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs, failed to get him medical attention, and prevented a superior officer from discovering the inmate’s injuries. After her partner discovered the injured inmate and called for medical attention, but before assistance arrived to escort him to the medical unit, the indictment charges that the defendant subjected the injured inmate to excessive force, that is, she unreasonably pepper sprayed him.
When the injured inmate had been escorted out of the area for medical attention, the indictment alleges that the defendant further violated the injured inmate’s constitutional rights by helping one of the inmates involved in his assault to steal his personal belongings from his cell. When she later completed a report about the incident, the indictment charges that the defendant provided false information about the injured inmate being aggressive, engaging in a fight, and using a weapon.
The FBI investigated this case. Should Cousinsbe convicted,she could get up to 41 years in prison and a $1,000,000.00 fine.